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Debut book causing worldwide stir

A teen thriller which has been tipped as a successor to the Twilight novels has set two Guinness records in the literary world.

Half Bad, by British author Sally Green, her supernatural thriller for young adults, created such a buzz that it was snapped up to appear in 45 languages before being published for the first time.

Green clinched her first deal with Penguin at the Bologna Children's Book Fair and her novel was finally published earlier this month.

Now it has taken two Guinness World Records for its global reach, as the most translated book - and the most translated children's book - by a debut author before publication.

Normally a book would only be translated and picked up in other territories if it had been shown to be doing well in its domestic market, b ut Green's book was causing waves internationally even at the manuscript stage.

The former accountant, who lives in Warrington, set her story in a modern world of good and bad witches who are living covertly in the modern world and are both afraid of a child called Nathan who is descended from both sides.

Green said: "I'm a bit stunned, but mostly delighted to have achieved two Guinness World Records titles and to know that Half Bad is going to be read all around the globe."

Francesca Dow, the managing director for Penguin children's books, said: "Sally Green is an astounding new talent and I'm delighted that so many overseas publishers have discovered the same enthusiasm for this remarkable debut as we have."

A deal has already been struck for the film rights, and Half Bad is the first in a trilogy of titles.

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